Gordon Brown agrees to dilute controversial planning laws

Gordon Brown has agreed to water down controversial new planning laws to avoid another backbench Labour rebellion after MPs threatened to vote against the legislation in Parliament today.

By Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor

2:25AM BST 25 Jun 2008

Local residents will now have a legal right to formally object to proposed developments and a new planning quango set up to adjudicate will have to take their views into account. Ministers will also formally review the operation of the new planning system in two years' time.

More than sixty Labour MPs were threatening to vote against new planning laws intended to fast-track infrastructure projects such as nuclear power stations, roads, railways and airports.

MPs were concerned over the proposals as major planning decisions would be handed to an unaccountable quango and local residents and ministers would lose their right to block proposed developments.

At the moment, public inquiries are held for major developments and ministers make the final decision. The Government says the system is too time-consuming and has delayed important national projects.

However, following protests from MPs the Government offered a series of concessions yesterday which it believes will be enough to win over many of the rebels. Clive Betts, one of the main Labour MPs, behind the rebellion said he was now satisfied although other backbenchers said they still intended to vote against the Government.

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Eric Pickles, the Shadow Local Government Secretary, said last night: "All that is going to be left of this bill is the title. Nonetheless, if it gets the go-ahead Labour will have the green light to bulldoze our green and pleasant land."

Under the Government's concessions, the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will be legally required to take into account a report of local community views. If a developer is applying for a compulsory purchase order, the IPC will have to hold a public hearing where those affected will have "the right to be heard".

Ministers will also decide where to locate new nuclear power stations and airports and the IPC will then simply have to approve the development plans. A Parliamentary Committee will also vet the appointment of the chair and deputy chairs of the IPC. They will then be subject to cross-examination by MPs.

John Grogan, a Labour MP, said the concessions did not go far enough, and could complicate matters. He wants ministers to take the final decision within six months of planning approval being given by the IPC.

"A number of us on the backbenches feel it is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand,'' Mr Grogan said.

The Conservatives predict that even if the laws are passed in the House of Commons today they will be blocked by the Lords. They also believe that planning decisions could be challenged successfully in court.

A survey for environmental charity Friends of the Earth found that more than nine in ten people wanted a say over developments in their neighbourhoods.

Last night, Hugh Ellis, a spokesman for the charity said: "This isn't a concession - it's a smokescreen to hide the reality that ministers want to sweep away people's democratic right to participate in the planning process.

"This desperate deal won't change that. MPs must stand up for people and the environment and vote against the Planning Bill."